₦airaland Forum

The media outfit, Vanguard thatpublished the 11-page letter written by Senator Iyabo Obasanjo to former President Obasanjo, have restated that their organization spoke to Iyabo to reconfirm the letter, before going to Press.The embittered Iyabo confirmed that she authored the cold letter to her wicked and vindictive father and declared giving consent for its publication.Early today, a female impostor on Rainbow FM, claiming to be Sen Iyabo Obasanjo said that she did not write the damning 11-page letter to her grumbling father. -Vanguard

The Katsina State House of Assembly, on Tuesday passed a bill that prescribed life imprisonment for those found guilty of rape.TheNews Agency of Nigeriareported that the assembly, which amended Section 283 of Katsina State Penal Code Law, Cap 96 of 1991, also provided a 14-year jail term and a N50,000 fine for those with lesser offence.The sponsor of the bill, Alhaji Rabiu Idris from Funtua Local Government, had earlier said that the amendment was to ensure that rapists received severe punishment to serve as deterrent to others.Idris said the measure became necessary in view of rampant cases of rape in the state.He observed that judges were constrained in handing over severe sentences as the offence was not specified in law.The new amendment now reads,“Whoever commits rape, shall serve life imprisonment or lesser charge of not less than 14years in jail together with N50,000 fine.’’The law also requires the offender to pay compensation to the victim.The Speaker, Alhaji Ya’u Gwajogwajo, directed the legal department of the house to prepare a clean copy of the bill and forward it to the state governor for assent.http://www.punchng.com/news/rapists-to-bag-life-jail-term-in-katsina/

The Supervising Minister for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, said the Federal Government wouldpay the N20.8 billion arrears owed to polytechnic staff as soon as the procedure for payment were concluded.Wike made this known at a meeting with the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Polytechnics in Abuja on Tuesday.He said the Federal Government had met over 80 per cent of the demandsof the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).According to him, the only thing left to be done is the release of the white-paper on the implementation of their demands.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ASUP embarked on strike on Oct. 4 after expressing its disappointment at the Federal Government’s `cold attitude’ to polytechnic education in Nigeria.He said that contrary to insinuations by the union, the present administration held the polytechnic staff in high esteem.Hence, the setting up of the Needs Assessment to determine the level of decay in schools and how much would be needed by the Federal Government to revive the institutions, he said.The minister called on the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Polytechnics to mediate in the impasse between the Federal Government and ASUP to ensure that Nigerian students return toschools.He, however, urged the committee to work toward ensuring that the institutions return to their original mandate of producing skilled medium level manpower to drive the economy.Earlier, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Chairman of the committee of pro-chancellors, called on the minister to facilitate the resolution of the strike by the ASUP.He also called on the ministry to work toward the release of the white paper of the Visitation Panels to Federal Polytechnics and pay arrears owed to polytechnic staff.The meeting was attended by officials of the National Board for Technical Education and chairmen of14 governing councils of polytechnics. (NAN)http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/12/17/fg-will-pay-n20-8bn-arrears-owed-polytechnic-staff-wike/?wt=4

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has threatened to embark on strike if the Federal Government implements aspects of the report of the committee on Needs Assessment of Nigerian Public Universities that it disapproves.The union’s Vice-President, Mr. Alfred Jimoh, stated this at a press briefing in Ilorin, Kwara State on Monday.Jimoh, while speaking on the needs assessment reports, said the union was uncomfortable with the recommended down-sizing of non-teaching staff in the universities.He, however, stated that the union was not opposed to the NEEDS committee report on infrastructure financing in the system.Jimoh said, “Of course, we will go on strike if the government goes ahead to implement the ‘satanic’ aspects of the NEEDs report.“There is no responsible union that will sit down and watch its members being laid off by government like that.“If the government is bent on doing that, then we will rise up to challenge it as a union that is responsible for the welfare and job security of their members.”The Chairman of the Western Zonal Research Team, Mr. Olayiwola Salam, in his lecture said sacking non-teaching staff might not address the problem of salaries and wages in the universities.He claimed that over 70 per centof salaries were paid to teachingstaff in the universities.Salam, who is the branch Chairman, SSANU, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, said it was unwise that governing councils of universities had no active member from non teaching staff.He also said universities should be proactive and involve corporate bodies and industries in generating funds.“For there to be a proper repositioning of the Nigerian public university system, the NEEDS committee report, must of necessity, be discarded by theFederal Government and must not be reckoned with.“If we have to re-energise our public universities to expected height of glory, the process must start with a serious NEEDS assessment, not a work that is deep with incurable congenital and acquired defects,” Salam said.Copyright PUNCH.

1] Buhari/Bola Tinubu.2] Goodluck Jonathan/Sambo3] Muhammadu Buhari/Amaechi4] Atiku Abubakar/Amaechi5] Buhari/Rochas OkorochaLets Gooooooooooooooo -

ASUU president, Fagge
After hours of endless waiting by journalists, leaders of the Academic Staff Union of University, emerged from the Senate Building of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, venue of the National Executive Committee meeting of the union, to harass the anxious newsmen.
They shouted repeatedly, “who invited these stupid people.”
One of the notable members of the Union that instructed security men to order the journalists to leave the building is the Chairman of ASUU in FUT, Minna, Dr. Abdulfatai Jimoh, who went ahead to assault the Daily Trust correspondent, Aliyu Hamagan.
Jimoh had earlier thought Hamagan was a member of the Union and invited him to come closer. He then asked, “Who brought this stupid people inside? What are they doing here?”
Hamagan, however, responded, “I am one of the people you are calling stupid. I will not have you insult us like that.”
Jimoh, on finding out that he was speaking with a journalist, pushed Hamagan and asked him to leave the premises, saying, “You people are intruding, we did not invite you. Get out of this place now.”
The meeting, which started at about 11.30am and holding in behind closed doors at the Senate Building of the FUT, Minna, was ongoing at the time of filing this report at about 7pm.
The scenario took another twist when members of ASUU NEC LOC emerged to inform journalists that some of them (ASUU) are not comfortable with the presence of the pressmen.
Jimoh, who was at this time furious, threatened the media men, saying “Anything wey una see, make una take am like that, because we didn’t invite the media.”
However, there was a disagreement among the members over the presence of the media. Some suggested that the journalists should stay because they were doing their job, others persisted that “we did not invite them. When we need them, we will invite them.”
The Vice Chancellor FUT, Minna, Prof. Musbau Akanji, who got the news that ASUU assaulted some journalists, rushed to the venue pleading with the journalists.
“Although, I am not a part of the meeting, but I am apologising on their behave because they are in my territory. This place (FUT, Minna) is a Federal Government institution, and it is a public place that everybody including journalists can enter especially when they are discharging their responsibilities,” Akanji said. Source The Punch

representing Sociology Here:::: Sociology is not what you read but what you do.

Journalists from NTA, AIT, Channels Television, Radio Nigeria and other media organisations have been turned back right from the main gate of Federal University of Technology FUT), Minna where the meeting of the National Executive Councilof the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) about calling off strike is going on.Security men at the gate of the institution told one of the journalist that the ASUU local branch chair, Abdulfatai Jimoh, handed them the order.All effort to reach the local ASUUchairman failed as he could not be reach on phone.Hours ago...The National Executives of Academic Staff Union of Universities' (ASUU) are still in a meeting that started over four hours ago at Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna to decide on calling off the six months old industrial action today.Although, both the President andthe chairman of the local chapterof the union could not be reached as all calls put to their phones were not answered, a source close to the Institution told this reporter that the meeting is at present taking placein the Senate Chamber of the University.It was also gathered that the meeting that has all the national executives in attendance is chaired by president of the union, Dr. Nasir Fagge.Contacted on the venue of the meeting, the University spokesperson, Mrs Lydia, said she did not know about the venue of the meeting. source Daily trust The Nation Newspaper‪#‎ASUU‬meeting drags on in Minna as journalists keep vigil. No announcement yet on strike

The strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) since July 01, 2013 will probably go down in history as the best ever well-organized action of the union.
Although the action lasted longer than many Nigerians envisaged, it is to the credit of ASUU that it was fully ready for business. The union had in fact made it clear that only a complete resolution of the issues at stake would bring the strike to an end. Hence, it was also ready for any eventuality. Consequently, when the government introduced the ‘no work, no pay’ rule into the game, the union responded by resorting to providing other welfare strategies such as distributing food items, giving out soft loans and cash advances to members to cope with the effects of the policy.
In all, ASUU lived up to its billing, making it obvious that it had sufficient courage and a unity of direction to pursue its goal. Thus, the Dr. Nasir Fagge led National Executive of the union deserves to be commended for its tenacity-a posture which the government itself was to eventually describe as their “patriotic role and commitment towards ensuring that our universities are well-funded, resourced and run like their counterparts in other parts of the world”. However, ASUU alone cannot grab all the credit. Also to be praised, are the interests groups which for the first time in history mobilized for the cause of the teachers, ample public sympathy and support.
What looked like the first impetus came from the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), which condemned the government for reneging on an agreement it willingly entered into with ASUU, adding that what the lecturers were asking for was not “new and out of place’’ The position of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) was that it would “not hesitate to shut down the education system in the country, if the government failed to fulfil or honour the agreement it entered into with the lecturers”. On its part, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) threatened to stop distribution of petroleum products across the country if the Federal Government failed to implement the agreement reached with ASUU. Their counterparts at the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) gave the Federal Government seven days to resolve the ASUU strike or face a total shutdown of electricity facilities in the country. All these were averted, but they cannot be wished away by anyone seeking to identify what helped the strike to last longer than usual.
The role which the posture of government officials played in prolonging the strike can also not be overlooked. It was them again who created room for another breakdown of negotiations after the President had himself personally intervened to resolve the crisis. What happened was that instead of documenting the issues faithfully as discussed and agreed upon with the President to ease implementation, they as usual, introduced their characteristic double-speak otherwise known as ‘mago- mago’ which led to a fresh out-break of hostilities. This confirmed the old allegation that advisers and small men in the corridors of power in a bid to display loyalty to the political masters always fuel the gap between government and the people. If the death of foremost unionist, Festus Iyayi on a journey to attend a meeting of the national executive of ASUU on the subject worsened the situation, the threat of the Minister of Education to the university teachers to resume work on December 04, 2013 or be sacked, completely disorganized the nation
However, after five months and 10 days of an annual cat and rat game, government and ASUU finally signed an agreement to end the strike a few days ago. With that, Nigerians can now look forward with hope to an end to the ugly incidents of disruption to the nation’s yearly academic calendar. It is a major achievement for which President Goodluck Jonathan deserves to take credit. Indeed, critics ought to take special note of the role of the President in the subject because so many of ‘us’ were in the forefront in condemning government for the strike. As a matter of fact some expressed disappointment that as an academic, the President ought not to have left his old colleagues in the cold. In fairness, these views ignored the personal commitment of Jonathan to the resolution of the crisis such as his meeting with ASUU for over 13 hours. In the past, strikes involving just one union never attracted the personal attention of the head of government; they were usually left to government delegations.
Thus, this article must record and commend the pivotal role of the President.
It was indeed magnanimous that the Presidency allowed itself to be seen as the side that blinked first in the crisis. That, to our mind, is not a sign of weakness but rather a fatherly act and a sign of wisdom. In earnest, the decision to display the N200billion cheque which certainly allayed the fears of ASUU and gave hope to the teeming student population that resolution was near; the way the President played down the threat by the education minister; the shifting of the resumption deadline in honour of the late Professor Iyayi who was due for burial and the unending official appeals to calm frayed nerves, are all quite commendable. It is to be hoped that future leaders would emulate this right from the onset without first bringing the education sector to a halt for a while, before acting.
Of course, it would have been a different ball game if President Jonathan had borrowed a leaf from the Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi who accused ASUU of sabotage and called for its disbandment. It is surprising that some such autocratic governors who should have held office during the military era occupying critical positions in our democracy. The handling of the outgoing ASUU crisis is one subject where the government of President Goodluck Jonathan showed commendable maturity. It should hold on to the strategy when more unions raise industrial disputes. It is superior to being insensitive.

The strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) since July 01, 2013 will probably go down in history as the best ever well-organized action of the union.
Although the action lasted longer than many Nigerians envisaged, it is to the credit of ASUU that it was fully ready for business. The union had in fact made it clear that only a complete resolution of the issues at stake would bring the strike to an end. Hence, it was also ready for any eventuality. Consequently, when the government introduced the ‘no work, no pay’ rule into the game, the union responded by resorting to providing other welfare strategies such as distributing food items, giving out soft loans and cash advances to members to cope with the effects of the policy.
In all, ASUU lived up to its billing, making it obvious that it had sufficient courage and a unity of direction to pursue its goal. Thus, the Dr. Nasir Fagge led National Executive of the union deserves to be commended for its tenacity-a posture which the government itself was to eventually describe as their “patriotic role and commitment towards ensuring that our universities are well-funded, resourced and run like their counterparts in other parts of the world”. However, ASUU alone cannot grab all the credit. Also to be praised, are the interests groups which for the first time in history mobilized for the cause of the teachers, ample public sympathy and support.
What looked like the first impetus came from the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), which condemned the government for reneging on an agreement it willingly entered into with ASUU, adding that what the lecturers were asking for was not “new and out of place’’ The position of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) was that it would “not hesitate to shut down the education system in the country, if the government failed to fulfil or honour the agreement it entered into with the lecturers”. On its part, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) threatened to stop distribution of petroleum products across the country if the Federal Government failed to implement the agreement reached with ASUU. Their counterparts at the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) gave the Federal Government seven days to resolve the ASUU strike or face a total shutdown of electricity facilities in the country. All these were averted, but they cannot be wished away by anyone seeking to identify what helped the strike to last longer than usual.
The role which the posture of government officials played in prolonging the strike can also not be overlooked. It was them again who created room for another breakdown of negotiations after the President had himself personally intervened to resolve the crisis. What happened was that instead of documenting the issues faithfully as discussed and agreed upon with the President to ease implementation, they as usual, introduced their characteristic double-speak otherwise known as ‘mago- mago’ which led to a fresh out-break of hostilities. This confirmed the old allegation that advisers and small men in the corridors of power in a bid to display loyalty to the political masters always fuel the gap between government and the people. If the death of foremost unionist, Festus Iyayi on a journey to attend a meeting of the national executive of ASUU on the subject worsened the situation, the threat of the Minister of Education to the university teachers to resume work on December 04, 2013 or be sacked, completely disorganized the nation
However, after five months and 10 days of an annual cat and rat game, government and ASUU finally signed an agreement to end the strike a few days ago. With that, Nigerians can now look forward with hope to an end to the ugly incidents of disruption to the nation’s yearly academic calendar. It is a major achievement for which President Goodluck Jonathan deserves to take credit. Indeed, critics ought to take special note of the role of the President in the subject because so many of ‘us’ were in the forefront in condemning government for the strike. As a matter of fact some expressed disappointment that as an academic, the President ought not to have left his old colleagues in the cold. In fairness, these views ignored the personal commitment of Jonathan to the resolution of the crisis such as his meeting with ASUU for over 13 hours. In the past, strikes involving just one union never attracted the personal attention of the head of government; they were usually left to government delegations.
Thus, this article must record and commend the pivotal role of the President.
It was indeed magnanimous that the Presidency allowed itself to be seen as the side that blinked first in the crisis. That, to our mind, is not a sign of weakness but rather a fatherly act and a sign of wisdom. In earnest, the decision to display the N200billion cheque which certainly allayed the fears of ASUU and gave hope to the teeming student population that resolution was near; the way the President played down the threat by the education minister; the shifting of the resumption deadline in honour of the late Professor Iyayi who was due for burial and the unending official appeals to calm frayed nerves, are all quite commendable. It is to be hoped that future leaders would emulate this right from the onset without first bringing the education sector to a halt for a while, before acting.
Of course, it would have been a different ball game if President Jonathan had borrowed a leaf from the Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi who accused ASUU of sabotage and called for its disbandment. It is surprising that some such autocratic governors who should have held office during the military era occupying critical positions in our democracy. The handling of the outgoing ASUU crisis is one subject where the government of President Goodluck Jonathan showed commendable maturity. It should hold on to the strategy when more unions raise industrial disputes. It is superior to being insensitive.

Only the church, the body of Christ can have this fellowship. Yes, we can sit home every Sunday and still be saved, but is that all you want? FIRE INSURANCE. Really? This fellowship we have with one another is made stronger by ourtime worshipping together, hearing the Word of God together, and a huge plus, we know we are never alone. But you will never know unless you become a part. Lone Rangers eventually fall away. So what is the church? our SANCUARY andREFUGE our place to be a part and fit together in the name of Jesus Christ. Look again at the definition of fellowship and let that sink in. The question I would ask you is, Don't you want to be a part of that?

“My dear friend, that I cannot say for now. Don’t forget we are one body. Wewill invite all of you (journalists) to come and hear our position. Our president (Dr. Isa Fagge) will officially announce the union’s decision.”“But till then, Nigerians should keep calm and not speculate anything. We all love this country and all weare doing is for the good ofthe university system,” the official added.The action which clocks 167 days today, has crippled academic activitieson campuses nationwide.The lecturers had embark on the action in July, following inability of the Federal Government to implement the 2009 pact both parties reached.Despite threats of sack by the FG and Committee of Vice-Chancellors, ASUU hasremained resolute, vowing that no amount of intimidation would deter its over 60, 000 members from seeking a better condition of service and infrastructure of government-owned varsities.ow.ly/28VqwL

The traditional ruler of Nachi community, His Royal Highness, Igwe F. O. Onuigbo,Obi II of Nachi, in his own submission said the water hasbeen there for a very long time, adding that the healing power ascribed to it was only a recent phenomenon which he did not confirm.“River Nachi is natural water which has been there for a very long time which people use for their cooking, drinkingand washing. The healing power is something new and Ihave not visited the place. Butthe water has been there before. People said it is healing; I can’t stop anybody from going there to seek cure and healing. I have no right todo that.”On the pattern surge, Igwe Onuigbo said he didn’t know about the coming and occasional surge of the water.“I do no know of that”He confirmed that the land where the water is situated has been in dispute between Ameke and Umuaga for a verylong time, adding that efforts are on-going to resolve the issue between the two communities amicably.History of the waterChief Ignatius Chikeluba, a Chief in Umuaga-Nachi, who claimed the farm land belongs to his father, gave historical perspective of the stream. “According to my ownfather, Ogbonnaya Ene Chikeluba, there was a man called Aniene, a native of Umuaga, he was the first man who saw the water. He used to be a farmer in the area. Hecame out one morning to discover the sudden surge of the water. He ran out to call others that were farming in the area to witness it. At that point, the water was named Miri Aniene.This happened long time before I was born, it was never known as having healing powers. We used it towash cloths, cassava and other culinary activities. It used to surge after every seven years. After the war, it came in 1972, 1979, 1986, 1994, 2000, 2005 and now 2013. When it comes, it is usually there until the next raining season. It is deterred by the rain or sun shine, it comes at any season of the year. We have never worshipped the water before.”“Before it came this year, there were Fulani herdsmen who live in that farm; they always take their cattle there to drink from the water. So, recently, a group of people came to my house, I recognised one of them who had lived there before, and I asked curiously whether he wanted to return to the farm again and he said no. But he said that the water which used to spring up had sprung up again and that it has healing power – curing all kinds of ailments. I told him that we don’t know about that. He said they discovered the healing power of the water the last time it came and they asked the herdsmen to be monitoring it. So, the Fulani herdsmen who have been monitoring it informed immediately it came out. After a while, another group of herdsmen came and said the same thing. But I pointed it out to them that their cattle had damaged my farm and they should do something about it and they moved awayfrom the area. But surprisingly, after some time, another group of people came this time, with some Igbos. I was the one who cleared the way to the river. I have palm tree in that place, banana plantation, cola-nut trees, orange among others. It is a farm settlement of Umuaga. At this junction, I want to state that the Nachi people have been trying to encroach on the land claimingit belongs to them, but it belongs to the people of Umuaga. The water is from God. And whoever says the water has not been there is trying to pull the wool over our faces. My house is there, and the water has been there.The king who does not know Joseph will not know Joseph was buried. I was born there and my father’s house is still there now. To, me it is the Fulani herdsmen that are responsible for this misinformation. Throughout the period I stayed in the farmland, we have never heard about the story of healing power being ascribed to the water. It is a concoctionof the Fulani herdsmen. I know that the revelation of God can come through any body but my advice to them isthat whatever they are saying,should be the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”I don’t believe it — Rev Fr Chikezie Cypril a.k.a Okanga JesusRev Father Chikezie Cypril a.k.a Okanga Jesus is the Parish Priest, St. Michael Catholic Church, Oji, Enugu and also the Chaplain of the Care for the Physically Challenged in the area. He spoke to Saturday Vanguard on the healing power of Pool of Bethesda.The mystery river that is said to be healing is happening in your parish, what can you say about it?I am privileged that this is taking place in my parish, but unfortunately, I have not gone there to see what is happening there, but I have seen a lot of people going there for healing. For the fact that I have not been there does not mean I wouldn’t know whether what is going on there is good or bad. My opinion is that it is better to seek God than seeking the blessing of God. This is because if you seek God, the blessing of God will come your way. If you seek the face of God, you will get the hand of God. Unfortunately peoplethink that God is not alive to their problem. Most people who go there are those who have little or no time for the word of God and they spend alot of time there waiting for their turn. If only they can spend their time for God, healing will come their way. That is why I will not find the time to go there because there is nothing better than seeking God.But we heard that Rev. Mbaka was there and he prayed at the river?Maybe he went there to know what is happening, but also remember that Mbaka is not God. It does not matter whether the Bishop or the Pope was there or not, what matters is that people should seek God. What about those who don’t have the opportunity to go there, do you mean they will not be healed? I see it as a kind of madness when people go there and take bath while theyalso take the same water and drink.But one funny thing about it is that, I don’t believe it. I am the chaplain of the physically challenged and none of them has come to me that they are healed and this is happening in their area. I mean not even one person has come to confirm it. I know that most of them have gone there and nothing is happening. So, you see, people tend to confuse you with certain things. As I am speaking to you, no member of this my community has come to me to share a testimony about the water. I know if it is real as people tend to portray it, one or two persons in the community must have been noticed and ifwe see it, we will be the promoter.You see, one has to be very sensible about it; a lot of people are making money on this situation. For example, if you tell the Okada riders who are making money from the situation that it is not real, they will say you don’t know what you are talking about. But let us trust God, power belongs to God. It is when wecommune with God that we see the power of God in our lives. I see those who go thereas spiritual puppets.

Tannerand2 othershttp://community.vanguardngr.com/photo/mystery-river?context=album&albumId=4565467%3AAlbum%3A804417Bizzare! Naked bath in ‘Pool of Bethesda’Watch out for the full story on Saturday VANGUARD
The news fly all around and the hitherto serene community becomes busy playing host to people from far and near seeking miracle healing to their ailments in a stream that sprang up suddenly.The physically challenged, theaged, young, men and womenincluding people with different kinds of sicknesses throng the pool in droves, dipthemselves Unclad in the 3-4feet deep stagnated water, wash the ailing parts of their bodies believing they are healed.Although the testimonies were not forth coming, the lame, blind still assisted with mixed feelings, The mysterious pool, called Orimiri located in a forest about 3km from the Nachi bus-stop along Onitsha/Enugu old road, allegedly heals all kinds of ailments after it was discovered by a Fulani herdsman recently.Since the discovery, the community has become a pilgrimage center with no fewer than 3000 people thronging the place daily. From morning till 6pm daily, okada ply through that narrow and sandy path carrying passengers and their loads of jerry cans to the stream.When Saturday Vanguard visited the stream, scores of people especially women were seen Unclad dipping their bodies in the already contaminated stream in the quest for healing. As those with tumor, sores and injurieswash their bodies without anyreservation, the physically challenged were being assisted by their relatives for thorough bath. Others were busy scooping up water from different holes dug around the bank into their plastic containers of various sizes.The people’s craze for healingwas also seen as they collect sands from the stream into cellophane bags to their homes believing even the sands under the water was as effective as the stream itself. The trees in the surroundings were also not spared as people chop trees into various sizes with a claim thatit cures all kinds of sicknesses.But none of these miracle seekers at the stream as at the time of visit could give a clear testimony of the healing he or she had received. Most of them who spoke with us opined that they believe it willwork.A middle aged woman, who refused to give her real names who never suspected she was talking to the press, said: “I just came here for to exercise my faith. I have not seen any one though, but I believe it. I just had a bath in the water and I believe it. I believe God that I will be okay.”But Donatus Ike, who claims he has been coming to the stream on a daily basis since the news of the healing powerbroke said: “I always come here every day to work; I guide people in doing certain things here. The water has healing power. A lot of people came from far and near. Not too long ago, Rev. Mbaka came here, he prayed for people. The lame will work, the blind will see. You can see a crutch over there; it was dropped by somebody who couldn’t work.”Amobi Chukwu in his own view said: “I think it is all about faith. What you call medicine is medicine for you. I also believe the water has healing power. The water is dirty and it was because a lot of people come here and bathinside the water and you know this is not a flowing river. That is why people dig the river bank to get better water to drink. It is drinkable.”But the controversies surrounding the healing power of the stream, began tounfold as Rev. Father Chikezie Cypril a.k.a Okanga Jesus, the Parish Priest, St. Michael Catholic Church, Oji, Enugu described those who seek healing from the stream are spiritual puppets. Cypril who is also the Chaplain of the Physically Challenged in the area said, said he has not heard from any of the physically challenged in his domain that one person had been healed from the water. “I don’t believe it.I am the chaplain of the physically challenged and none of them has come to meto give that testimony of healing; and this is happeningin their area. I mean not even one person has come to confirm it. I know that most of them have gone there and nothing is happening. So, yousee, people tend to confuse you with certain things. As I am speaking to you, no member of this community has shared a testimony about the water.”In the same vein, Chief Ignatius Ene Chikeluba who claimed he was born in the farmland gave an insight into the beginning of the whole parody. He stated that it was the Fulani herdsmen who concocted and spread the story of healing power without any clear evidence. “Throughout the period I stayed in the farmland, we have never heard about the healing power being ascribed to the water. It is a concoctionof the Fulani herdsmen. I know that revelation from God can come through any body but my advice to them isthat whatever they are saying should be the whole truth and nothing but the truth,” Chikeluba stated.

Onitsha (Anambra) – Dr Tim Anosike, the President of OnitshaChamber of Commerce, on Fridaywarned that the Niger Bridge might collapse sooner than envisaged by its designers and engineers.He made the observation when he spoke in Onitsha, Anambra.Anosike said that the bridge was being overburdened by the daily traffic gridlocks and had to carry tens of trucks with goods of thousands tonnage each day.He said that the commencement of the second Niger Bridge was overdue considering the increasein vehicular movement on the bridge in the past five years.“This chamber will never cease crying to the Federal Governmentuntil the construction of the second Niger Bridge is achieved.“Without this project, the entire life and economic activities of thepeople in this part of our countryare hanging on the balance as the existing bridge can collapse sooner than envisaged.“We have thought that the criticalnature of the project is not something to toy with.“But very sadly, it has become a strategic weapon for political campaign in the hands of our politicians since time immemorial,’’ he said.The Federal Government had awarded the construction of the bridge to Julius Berger, but work is yet to start. (NAN)

Onitsha (Anambra) – Dr Tim Anosike, the President of Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, on Friday warned that the Niger Bridge might collapse sooner than envisaged by its designers and engineers.

He made the observation when he spoke in Onitsha, Anambra.

Anosike said that the bridge was being overburdened by the daily traffic gridlocks and had to carry tens of trucks with goods of thousands tonnage each day.



He said that the commencement of the second Niger Bridge was overdue considering the increase in vehicular movement on the bridge in the past five years.

“This chamber will never cease crying to the Federal Government until the construction of the second Niger Bridge is achieved.

“Without this project, the entire life and economic activities of the people in this part of our country are hanging on the balance as the existing bridge can collapse sooner than envisaged.

“We have thought that the critical nature of the project is not something to toy with.

“But very sadly, it has become a strategic weapon for political campaign in the hands of our politicians since time immemorial,’’ he said.

The Federal Government had awarded the construction of the bridge to Julius Berger, but work is yet to start. (NAN)

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/12/niger-bridge-can-collapse-sooner-envisaged/#sthash.byZsQvD7.dpuf

From the information I gatheredfrom the media on Thursday, the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government have signed a Memorandum of Understandingwhich brings us closer to the end of the over five months old strike. But my question is that how long will it take ASUU to hold its next National Executive Council meeting so as to suspend the strike and why can’t the meeting hold within 48hours after the signing of the MOU so Nigerians and the affected students can know the way forward? Procrastination is what I call it and it is why, as Nigerians, we like pressure cooker plans due to time wastage. The remaining days in 2013 should not be considered as gone due to the Christmas and New Year holidays. I don’t even know why that should attract the attention of Nigerian students who have spent over five months on a compulsory holiday. The rest days in December can change a lot in the lives of some students or institution.

Valto: this new improved plan is much better, that what other networks are offering at the moment.. Glo tried, but there is still room for improvement though.

improvement

[quote author=Lady~Jul]this news is false[/quote]Alright, Op has given us the false News according to you, I'm still waiting for the right news from you.

Lilimax: What an irony ?
It saddens me to see Nigerians especially the youths insulting out president.

Guy like seriously d tin tire me.. Nigerians wake up

which frontpage... Moderator don't move anything to front page,. Before this ASUU people come and disrupt our lectures just like dey did in Uniben.

Robert mugabe stated yesterday:''I want the people of africa totreat me the same as they treatedNelson Mandela ''morgan tsavangirai immediatelyresponded:'' What a great idea, lets startwith27years in jail!!! ''

somebody slap me, if I' ws wrong,, I dey suspect dat Arsenal vs Soton match,, see dat keeper na, even madman go know say na match fixing.

pascyj: U be MUMU.U want kill anoda lecturer,so d schl no go open forever,abi?Who's stupider?U or d fisherman?

to answer your question; The answer is your father.

where are the police and jtf when you need em, in the word of Sura shoot deir legs. ASUU a useless association as the latter P in Psychology.

ASUU STRIKE LATEST.Nigerians Send ASUU Members Conditions, Now They Have Acknowledged Receiving Bank Alert. [Hope For Nigeria & David O Ani].We also want an agreement from ASUU:1) ASUU members should submit a sworn affidavit duly endorsed by their spiritual heads, be it Immam, pastors or whatever they believed in.2) their wives should submit guarantors form with two passport affixed.3) Each member should write a"letter of understanding" that will be submitted to the IG of police.WHY DO WE NEED ALL THAT?*we want to say, enough of molesting our sisters and 'probable wives "by SOME of themen that are old enough to be grandfathers.....any one caught should be severely dealt with using the letter endorsed by his spiritual head and the one signed by his wife which will contain an assurance never to turn their offices to an emergency bedroom. ....in this days of smart phones, any female student that doesn't know how to collect evidence when in such situation should be blamed, you mustn't be an FBI trained agent.....of course, we also know that some spoilt brats will go to their Lecturers offices with their legs wide open, the decent ones need to be protected.WE SAY NO TO SEXUALLY ACQUIRED GRADES AND CERTIFICATES.I agree with ASUU about how corrupt the system is but most of the corrupt fellows we have as corrupt politicians cut their corruption teeth while in school:they paid some ASUU members to get grades and that was all they needed to learned that if intellectuals in our citadel of learning can be compromised, just almost anyone can.......why wont we agree on the term of punishment for anyone caught. Is it not better we complete this education reform once and for all*Enough of over priced textbooks and allocating 10 or 20 marks for purchase of one, Lecturing is not stock trading.*ASUU should now be accounting to a new body for the school fees and accommodation fees collected from students.*ASUU member should STOP teaching our children with books written in 1940s and 1960s. Those that refuse to refresh their knowledge should leave our schools.*They have a blame on the poor quality of graduates they are producing, as one cannot give what he do not have. Members that are not fit for purpose should resign or retire to save our education.*ASUU must give account of this N200billion given to them to improved the learning conditionof our school.*ASUU members have received their N30billion for the allowances they forced the Govt to pay them for doing they samejob, they are paid every month, therefore touching a kobo from this N200b will lead to jungle justice.*In the last 2 years Education budget has been doubled. ASUUmembers must list out the number of classrooms, lecture theaters, Hostels, Laboratories, Libraries, Computers rooms, Health centers the have built with these money.*ASUU have sign an undertakingto stay away from students Union, cult groups, as above, stop sexually harassing and molesting our girls and the Gaysamong them should stay away from our young men.*ASUU members should have attendance register, as we will not tolerate a teacher refusing to come to class for a whole semester only to come a week toexams and 'vomit a semester lecture in 2 days. Such lecturer's salary will be pro-rata to only 2 days.*ASUU member caught demanding Fridges, TV, Cooker, Washing Machine from Jambites will receive jungle justice before been thrown out of campus.we appreciates all the hard working, God fearing, knowledgeimpacting members of ASUU for their commitment in Nation building....nowthat they have received alert,-we pray that the future generation is molded alright.-we pray for the repentance of the wrong eggs in the system either willingly or forcefully.Infrastructuralreform without attitudinal reform is a waste. - Hope For Nigeria.

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25k cash if u agree send me PM.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) is optimistic that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will call off its strike before the expiration of the Dec. 9 deadline given by the government.
TUC president Bobboi Kaigama told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja that the congress was optimistic that ASUU and the Federal Government would reach a consensus in the next few days.
The Executive Secretary of National University Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie, announced the new deadline at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
“We will mediate and call back both parties to the negotiation table. The good thing is that they are both committed to ending the strike,’’ Kaigama said.
He said that when he and NLC president Abduwahed Omar led ASUU leadership to negotiate with President Goodluck Jonathan, an agreement was not signed because ASUU wanted to“report back to its branches’’.
Kaigama added that the leadership of both TUC and NLC had resolved to wade into the matter again with the hope of achieving a truce.
“Myself and my colleague from the NLC will ensure that this issue is quickly resolved. The most important thing is that both parties want a quick end to the strike.
“What is happening right now is as a result of a break in communication,” he said.
He added that the threat by the Federal Government to sack lecturers and the reaction by ASUU were as a result of a break in communication between both parties.
The TUC president also expressed the confidence that no lecturer would be victimised at the end of the industrial action. (NAN)
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